Why Was Gabby Douglas Not At The MTV VMAs?

Gabby Douglas missed the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards after she was admitted to a hospital.

Douglas was supposed to join her Final Five teammates Simone Biles, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian and Aly Raisman to present at the award show in Madison Square Garden on Sunday night, Aug. 29, but due to health issues, the gymnast didn’t make it to the event.

Although absent, her fellow Olympic champions gave her a big shoutout before presenting the award for best female video to Beyoncé. “Feel better Gabby!” Biles said at the awards show, noting that her teammate had "medical issues" and "unfortunately couldn't make it."

“I think she's feeling a little better, but she's staying home as a precaution,” Biles also told People on the red carpet. “We're sad she couldn't be here to enjoy this with us. We miss her!”

Biles also took to Instagram on Sunday to explain why she couldn't attend this year's VMAs. “Out of the hospital & resting comfortably! #FinalFive so sad I can't be with u all to present tonite@MTV thank u xoxo #VMAs #myview,” she captioned a photo of herself wrapped up in a blanket lying on a bed.

Douglas’ publicist Lesley Burbridge, however, told People that she was admitted to the hospital again on Sunday night.

“Gabby is back in the hospital tonight being treated for a seriously infected past mouth injury," Burbridge told the news outlet. “She continues to have deep swelling and adverse reactions to medications.”

Douglas’ hospitalization came just a few days after she was criticized for not placing her hand over her heart for the national anthem during the medal ceremony for the team all-around gymnastics competition. Although Douglas later explained that she was "standing at attention," which many athletes do when their national anthem is played, she admitted that hateful comments about her on social media has deeply affected her.

“I tried to stay off the internet because there's just so much negativity," she said (via Us Weekly). "Either it was about my hair or my hand not over my heart or I look depressed. It was hurtful. It was hurtful. It was. It's been kind of a lot to deal with.”

In an attempt to prevent the person from committing suicide, Avleen K. Mokha in her Facebook post wrote, "Don't go ahead with this tonight. There's more in life to look forward to beyond tonight. Please be there to see it."